In my younger years, I was a teenage pro at making mixtapes (and later mix CD’s). I’d give them to boyfriends (so embarrassing to think of those now!) and trade them with my friends. Usually the tapes/CD’s would include whatever songs were popular at the time, or songs that reminded us of a shared event […]
When people learn that I’m a music therapist, one of the most common assumptions is that I only work with children in schools. But music therapy can be an excellent treatment option for a wide variety of physical and mental health challenges. Below are some highlights of a few common mental and physical health concerns […]
Maternal mental health issues are increasingly discussed these days, which is a positive thing! You have most likely heard of postpartum depression. And you probably even know someone who has suffered from this condition. Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs after childbirth. But what you may not know is that expectant and […]
One of the topics I regularly discuss with my clients is the use of playlists. Specifically, the benefits of creating your own and not leaving it up to whatever streaming music service they’re using. Creating your own playlist offers several benefits, both practical and emotional: Playlist Personalization You can tailor the music to your mood, […]
One of the most common misconceptions about music therapy is that the person receiving it needs to know all about music. I frequently tell people that “my job is to know the music; your job is to bring an open mind and a willingness to try something new!” Sometimes we listen to music together in […]
“What makes up a support system, and do I really need one?” are questions I’m often asked by clients. So I thought it might be helpful for everyone out there if I used a blog post to address the topic of how to create a healthy support system. WHAT IS A SUPPORT SYSTEM? A support […]
Sing with me now– it’s beginning to look a lot like chaos, everywhere I go…. The holidays are fully upon us– quite possibly the most anticipated and dreaded time of year. Yes, there is much to appreciate and be thankful for at this time of year. However, it also promises considerable holiday stress and anxiety […]
Self-care plays a significant role in maintaining good mental health. So it’s important to have a well-stocked ‘toolbox’ of different things you can do for self-care when you’re experiencing a difficult situation or having a bad day Music can be part of that ‘toolbox’ because it’s easily accessible to everyone, almost anywhere. With streaming music […]
One of the questions I’m asked most often when I’m out doing presentations or workshops is, “Can you tell me what relaxation music to add to my playlist to use at home?” On the surface this sounds like an easy question– but it isn’t. That’s like asking 10 people on the street to name the […]
“Autumn Song” Leaves of brown, they fall to the ground And it’s here, over there, leaves around Shut the door, dim the lights and relax… ~Van Morrison I noticed it first a couple of weeks ago. The very tips of the leaves on some of the trees in our neighborhood were starting to show signs […]
